Sep 06

Panrit "Gor" Daoruang is Released from Prison

By Richard Barrow Email

Sunday 6th September, 2009 | 447 words | Category: General | 14 feedbacks »

Another chapter in the life of Panrit "Gor" Daoruang" has come to an end with his release from prison after serving his full three years for dug possession. Gor shot to international fame during his teenage years for his stories about life growing up in Thailand. He is regarded as Thailand first blogger as he started writing about his life when he was only 12 years old. This was back in 1997 and he is now 24 years old. His website www.ThailandLife.com still remains popular with people from around the world as a way to understand the culture of Thailand. People respected the way that Gor was honest about the ups and downs of his life including his fall into drug addiction when he was only 15 years old. He had just graduated from Junior High and it was the summer holidays. High School didn't last long for him and he was soon kicked out and ended up living on the street for a while. Things picked up later that year when he became the youngest columnist at the Bangkok Post at the age of 16. However, although he was still working hard on his websites, including the popular www.learningthai.com website helping foreigners learn Thai for free, he struggled with staying clean from drugs. He ordained as a monk for a while but a month after leaving the temple he was arrested by police for drug possession. Gor was originally sentenced to six years in prison but the judge halved this sentence after he changed his plea to guilty.

Gor is now enjoying his new found freedom with his daughter Nong Grace and the rest of his family. He said it will take him time to adjust to life on the outside and also to catch up on things. He plans to go back to writing and making websites next month. He wishes to thank everyone that has shown him support over the last three years and he promises that he won't let them down. I have posted some pictures of Gor taken during his first day of freedom over at the "Gor's World Forums". You can read more background information about his drug addiction and subsequent conviction and life in prison over at www.ThaiPrisonLife.com. Gor kept a diary while in prison so look out for some more updates in the coming months. These will be the only stories about life in a Thai prison written by a Thai person in English. If you didn't know already, Gor's autobiography, "Gor's Thailand Life" was published while he was in prison and is available in all good book stores in Thailand and on the Internet at BuyThaiBooks.com.

Do you have any questions about Thailand? Maybe you are planning a holiday or just want to learn more about Thai culture. Have all of your questions answered for free at ThailandQA.com. These forums are part of the family friendly Paknam Web Network.

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Comment from: Mafia
Welcome Back Gor. Wish you best of luck for the future. Cheers...
06/09/2009 @ 15:41
Comment from: MrBrad
It's good to have you home, Gor; the world is back in balance again. Best wishes to you.
06/09/2009 @ 21:34
Comment from: Joerg
*****
Glad to hear you are out and I wish you the best. You seem like a good person with a nice family.
I have enjoyed what you've written and what Richard has written about you.
Looking at the pictures of you and your daughter, I see so much love there.
I think you have a good future ahead of you.
Best,
J
06/09/2009 @ 21:52
Comment from: Kelvin Choo
Hi Gor,
Cheers on your release...
06/09/2009 @ 22:18
Comment from: Marc Railton
*****
Hi Gor, I just found your website recently after my first trip to Thailand. I think the work you have done is absolutely marvelous and incomparable. I wish you the very best as you start afresh. I will be moving to Thailand in January 2010, if I can be of any help or assistance to you please do not hesitate to make contact.

Cheers
Marc Railton form the UK.
07/09/2009 @ 03:05
Comment from: Dorami · http://thai-food-blog.com
These are real good news! I'm Happy for you, Gor.
07/09/2009 @ 07:24
Comment from: Jackie
*****
Very good news that you have come out and can be with your darling daughter. This time make sure that you stay clean so you can always be with your daughter. The best years of your life as a parent are when your children are at kindergarten and primary. That is when they need you the most and they are the most cute.

Good luck and stay clean!
07/09/2009 @ 12:25
Comment from: Stephen Cleary
*****
Great news! Look forward to seeing Gor again very soon!
07/09/2009 @ 12:28
Comment from: Suzie
I am happy to hear that you are home with your daughter again. I met Nong Grace in Thailand when I visited Paknamweb office last year. She is adorable.

I wish you luck and I hope you will have a bright future.
07/09/2009 @ 20:38
Comment from: Marta "Marty" Sperow
*****
That's great news. I wish Gor well.

Thanks for posting this, Richard.
08/09/2009 @ 00:43
Comment from: Chong
Great to herd than you r free again. All the Best Gor! Hope to read yr new story at yr web soon.. Cheer !!
08/09/2009 @ 08:02
Comment from: ej angeles
*****
I have been praying for this day to happen to yor life, gor.



19/09/2009 @ 04:37
Comment from: Britinbangkok · http://www.britinbangkok.typepad.com
Hopefully Gor has learned his lesson and won't let this happen again. He was handed every opportunity in life and squandered every single one of them. Hopefully he has grown up and is now on the path to a useful life. I wish him good luck.
07/11/2009 @ 12:45
Comment from: Richard Barrow Email · http://www.richardbarrow.com
Gor was actually shot last week and was in critical condition in ICU for several days. Full story on the ThailandQA.com Forums.
08/11/2009 @ 15:22

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